Press Releases

Today, Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Paul A. Gosar D.D.S. (AZ-04), Executive Vice-Chairman Rep. Scott Tipton (CO-03), Vice-Chairman for Indian Affairs and Oceans Rep. Don Young (AK-At Large), Chairman Emeritus Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01), Chief Rules Officer Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Chief Infrastructure and Forestry Officer Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and Western Caucus members Rep. Kevin Cramer (ND-At Large), Rep. Paul Cook (CA-08), Rep. Jody Hice (GA-10), Rep. Ralph Abraham (LA-05), Rep. Kristi Noem (SD-At Large), and Del. Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen (American Samoa-At Large) released the following statements after Congressman Ryan Zinke was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by a bipartisan vote of 68-31 to serve as Secretary of the Department of the Interior:

Chairman Gosar said, “I look forward to continuing to work closely with Secretary Zinke at the Department of the Interior as we have here in Congress. His commitment to cooperation with state and local stakeholders will serve our nation well, and I am confident that we will benefit greatly from his lack of concern for partisan politics as well as his steadfast dedication to what is best for our country and our public lands. I couldn’t be happier to have a Western Constitutional conservative in this important position.”

“Mr. Zinke is a proven leader who understands the complicated overlay of federal policy impacting Western states. As an advocate for the West with a strong record on issues related to private water rights, forest management and energy production, I believe he is well-suited for this role,” said Congressman Tipton.

Congressman Young said, “Under the previous administration, the Department of Interior became a bureaucratic nightmare, dead set on restricting access to all federal lands. I’m confident under the leadership of Secretary Zinke we can begin making the changes necessary to restore a level of confidence and certainty within the Department of Interior and begin meeting the needs of the Alaskan and American people.”

Congressman Bishop remarked, “Secretary Zinke is prepared to lead the Department of the Interior in a new and better direction, and I congratulate him on his confirmation. In collaboration with our state, tribal and local partners, I look forward to working with Secretary Zinke in the months ahead.”

“I am delighted the Senate has confirmed Congressman Ryan Zinke as our next Secretary of the Interior. Congressman Zinke is a dedicated public servant and truly understands the issues important to communities and families across the West.  I was proud to serve with Representative Zinke in Congress, and on the House Natural Resources Committee, and I am confident he will continue to be an outspoken advocate for maintaining our federal lands, protecting public access, and ensuring that all Americans have the opportunity to experience these national treasures,” said Congressman Newhouse. “Secretary Zinke will bring a strong record of leadership to the Interior Department and I look forward to working with the Secretary to advance western priorities in the months and years ahead.”

“Ryan’s dedication to a balanced approach to resource management has been evident since we came to Congress together in 2015,” Congressman Westerman said. “I’ve watched his work on the Natural Resources Committee, standing for conservation and commonsense use of our nation’s assets. I look forward to continuing to work with him in this new role and crafting policies backed by the president.”

“Congratulations to my friend and neighbor, Ryan Zinke, on being confirmed as Interior Secretary.  I have enjoyed working with Congressman Zinke on rural healthcare and telecom issues – as well as defense, energy, and Native American issues, over the past two years.  As a Navy SEAL and statesman for Montana, Zinke is a tireless advocate for our country and I look forward to working with him in the future on priorities for North Dakota,” said Congressman Cramer.

“Rep. Zinke will be a great Secretary of the Interior, but he has lot of hard work in front of him. I look forward to working with him to restore access to our public lands,” said Congressman Cook.

“As a champion of regulatory relief, forest management, and an all-of-the-above approach to energy, Ryan Zinke will serve the American people well as Secretary of the Interior. During his time in Congress, he has been an active member of the House Natural Resources Committee and developed a deep understanding of the issues he will encounter in this position,” said Congressman Hice. “I look forward to working closely with him and the Trump Administration as we harness America’s natural resources and cultural heritage for generations to come.”

Congressman Abraham remarked, “For the last eight years, the Department of the Interior has been used to advance environmental extremism, and that must change. Ryan Zinke understands that we must balance the needs of those who use public lands – such as farmers, ranchers and foresters – with our shared desire to preserve our natural environment. I look forward to working with Mr. Zinke on advancing a common-sense approach to managing the Interior.”

“Americans will be well served by having the commonsense of a Westerner at the head of the Interior Department," said Congresswoman Noem. “For years, we have battled the agency over the best way to approach land use, but I’m confident with Ryan as Secretary, our federal lands and natural resources can be enjoyed by the public, used to meet the needs of a nation, and preserved for future generations.”

Congresswoman Radewagen said, "I could not be happier to see Secretary Zinke confirmed. Our time spent working together on the House Natural Resources Committee has allowed me to get to know Ryan very well, and I think he's just the man to lead the department. The Department of the Interior is crucial to the well-being of my home district of American Samoa, as it holds oversight jurisdiction over the territories.  I look forward to working with Secretary Zinke on those issues that affect the territories and other matters under the department."

Background:

As a result of confirmation by the Senate today, Ryan Zinke will be the 52^nd United States Secretary of the Interior.

An archived webcast of Zinke’s nomination hearing that was held on January 17, 2017 can be found by clicking HERE.

(Courtesy of Zinke.house.gov)
Prior to his confirmation, Ryan Zinke served the people of Montana as their sole Representative in the United States House.  Ryan is a fifth generation Montanan, former State Senator and a 23-year U.S. Navy SEAL veteran.  In 2014, Ryan became the first Navy SEAL elected to the House. In Congress, he served on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Zinke is a Constitutional conservative who believes in the vision the forefathers laid out which separates powers between the three branches and ensures the sovereignty of our states. As a Navy SEAL, State Senator and Member of Congress, Zinke swore an oath to defend the Constitution. His decisions are based on upholding the Constitution and doing what is right for Montana and America.